By Jonty Ralphsmith
Casey is back on the VFL winners’ list brushing aside the Northern Bullants 17.19(121) to 7.8(50) at Genis Steel Oval, Preston, on Saturday.
The Dees had 13 scoring shots to two in the first quarter as the class difference was immediately clear.
Bailey Laurie had 2.2 by quarter time, and finished with 27 disposals to continue to press his case for an AFL return, having averaged 30 disposals across the past three rounds.
Jack Billings and Mitch Hardie were alongside him to help Casey win the clearances 51-26 and inside 50s 69-36.
Matt Jefferson led the way up forward with five goals, while Jacob Van Rooyen took a game-high 13 marks for a return of 2.3 as he tries to return to his best form.
A 100-point victory looked likely at three-quarter-time, as the Dees led by 86 points and held the Bullants to just one goal, before the hosts kicked six goals to four in the last term.
The result against the struggling, bottom-of-the-table Ants takes Casey to 13th on the ladder, drawing them within two points of the finals-bound top 10 ahead of a bout with Sydney at Tramway Oval on Saturday, at 1.35pm.
Meanwhile, Casey’s VFLW winless streak continued, going down to Darebin 8.10(58) to 2.2(14).
The Demons conceded two goals in each quarter and fell 23 points behind before Zoe Mitchell put through their first major midway through the second quarter.
The Dees have Carlton at Casey Fields on Saturday, 12.05pm.
